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FRANKLIN TWP. — Residents of a township island have found a way around signing service agreements with Franklin to continue getting water.

Warren County Sanitary Engineer Richard Renneker and his deputy Chris Brausch told residents of Franklin Heights the county could run water lines to the township subdivision that is surrounded by the city.

It would cost an estimated $600,000 that residents would pay back through a property tax assessment of about $90 a year for the next 20 years.

Franklin City Council passed legislation in January requiring all township residents who receive city water to sign service agreements. Those contracts include a stipulation the residents annex into the city when requested.

Many residents of 79 Franklin Heights property owners don't want to become city residents, but are afraid Franklin will cut off their water if they don't sign the agreements.

Council members hope it doesn't come to that and said last month during a meeting with residents they wouldn't shut off water. But they did insist they have the legal right to do so.

Council members also say they want the land inside the city to have more control over the property if it develops. The neighborhood is along Second Street where a Wal-Mart Supercenter recently opened nearby.

Dan Brownfield, who lives on Eastlawn Drive, is worried if they get around the service agreements by paying for the county to run waterlines to their neighborhood, that Franklin officials will find another way to require residents to annex into the city.

How to go

Franklin Heights residents will discuss the service agreements and option to pay to hook into the county water lines 2 p.m. Saturday at the Franklin Twp. Administration Building, 418 Fairview Drive.